Knittelfeld Putsch - Aftermath

Aftermath

The coalition between ÖVP and FPÖ was renewed after the elections in spite of the FPÖ's weak showing at the polls. As the FPÖ continued to lose even more dramatically in subsequent local and also the 2004 European elections, tensions did not subside. In April 2005, Jörg Haider founded the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ), a new party, this time with the more pragmatic wing of the party, including all current FPÖ members of the federal government and most of the FPÖ's parliamentary representatives. Since then the BZÖ obtained 4.1% of the vote in the 2006 general election and got 7 seats in the National Council. The FPÖ rose from 10.01% to 11.04 in that election. Since then the FPÖ is growing again, the party received 10,5% in the 2008 Lower Austria "Landtag" (provincial) election, more than doubeling its 2003 result (4,5%). Recent polls show the FPÖ at 18% nationally. The BZÖ also participated in the Lower Austria election, but received only 0,72%, failing to pass the 4% threshold. National polls show the BZÖ at about 4%.